Ethel Ann Bond, 99

By Tribune - Posted on 29 November 2012

Ethel Ann Bond, age 99, of Terry, passed away on November 16, 2012 at the Prairie County Nursing home in Terry, Mont.

Ethel was born in a log cabin on March 6, 1913, about 12 miles west of Sidney, Mont. She was the daughter of Walter and Meta Christina (Anderson) Hanson. She attended rural country school in Richland County, and graduated from Sidney High School in 1931. Ethel went to the University of Montana where she graduated with her teaching degree. She taught two years at the Rapelje High School as well as in Lolo, Mont. She married Ernest Owen Wheatley in March of 1938. They had one son Ernest. She later married Clell Bond on August 15, 1948 in Miles City, Mont. To this union they had two sons: Robert and Larry. They made their home in Terry, Mont. After their marriage, Ethel helped Clell drill water wells for a short time. Ethel then became Prairie County Welfare director for the Montana Department of Social Services, which included numerous other Eastern Montana counties, for 29 years. Ethel was instrumental in establishing Eastern Montana's first Mental Health Center. She also helped establish Eastmont in Glendive, Mont., Eastern Montana Industries in Miles City, Mont., and helped establish mental health centers as well as senior centers.

Ethel enjoyed flower gardening, crocheting, and plastic canvasing. She was very fond of any and all cats. Ethel loved surprising people by sending cards for birthdays, weddings and anniversaries, sometimes as many as 30-40 a month. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, an active board member of the South Eastern Montana Opportunity Center, the Ama de Casa Extension Homemakers Club, the Prairie County Hospital Guild, and was an active member of the Prairie County Clinic Board for a number of years.

Ethel is survived by her three sons: Ernest W. Bond, Robert Bond and Larry (Cindy) Bond all of Terry, Mont.; a sister Deo (Arne) Degn of Billings, Mont.; her five grandchildren: Scott (Tammy) Bond, Tristy (Gerald) Schroeber, Bill Conlin, Nancy Conlin and Warrene (Tracey) James; seven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clell, a brother Richard Toft, daughter-in-law, Truene Bond, and great-grandson, Tevin Schroeber.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Terry Community Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in the Prairie County Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Prairie County Nursing Home or to the Terry Community Presbyterian Church. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting:www.stevensonandsons.com.